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 15 May 2008 13:02 BST

Madeleine case papers 'handed to prosecutors'

Monday, 10 Sep 2007 20:27
Madeleine McCann has not been seen since May 3rd
Papers outlining Portuguese police's case against the parents of Madeleine McCann are set to be handed to the country's public prosecutor.

The news comes after Gerry and Kate McCann left the Algarve yesterday to return to their UK home with two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie.

Mr and Mrs McCann, both 39, were told last week that they were both official suspects – locally known as 'arguido' – in the police investigation over four-year-old Madeleine, who has not been since disappearing from her parents' Praia da Luz holiday apartment on May 3rd.

"At the moment the inquiry is being prepared to be handed to the prosecutor in charge of the case," said Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa.

"He will analyse it and after this he will make his decision.

"The information is that we have received part of the forensic results, so we are waiting for the rest."

Neither Mr or Mrs McCann have been charged with any offence and no bail conditions or travel restrictions were placed upon them prior to their return to Rothley, Leicestershire, on Sunday.

However, it is likely that it will take several months before the public prosecutor makes a decision on potential criminal charges.

Speaking outside the family home today, Madeleine's great uncle Brian Kennedy admitted the today's development was a "delicate situation" for the McCanns.

He went on to tell journalists: "They are fine – they had a decent night's sleep and the twins slept soundly. They are holding up extremely well."

Upon arrival at East Midlands airport on Sunday, the couple insisted they had returned with the full consent of Portuguese police.

And Mr McCann defended their return by claiming he and his wife were not "giving up" on Madeleine.

"As parents, we cannot give up on our daughter until we know what has happened. We have to keep doing everything we can to find her," he told reporters.

And after explaining he was restricted in what he could say under Portuguese law, his voice breaking, he added: "Despite there being so much we wish to say we are unable to do so, except to say this: we played no part in the disappearance of our lovely daughter, Madeleine."

The police investigation in the Algarve reportedly centres on the belief that Madeleine is dead, with Mrs McCann facing 12 hours of questioning last week amid apparent accusations she accidentally killed her daughter.

Portuguese media reports this morning claim that renewed sniffer dog searches at the McCanns' Algarve apartment will take place today.End of story

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